Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid reaffirmed that the National Housing Scheme of the nation is designed not only to provide homes but also to promote family well-being, strengthen communities, and support the long-term social development of the country, during the first day of Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) Session yesterday.

Responding to a question from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam, the minister said the planning of national housing projects takes into account family privacy, mental well-being, child development, and access to community facilities, recognising that the home environment plays a vital role in family stability and social cohesion.

The minister said houses built under the National Housing Scheme are designed to meet the basic needs of a family, with every home featuring at least three bedrooms, including a master bedroom for parents and separate bedrooms for sons and daughters.

“This layout supports privacy, comfort, and the quality of family life in Brunei. To better accommodate growing families, the ministry has further enhanced house designs by introducing four-bedroom units, including one bedroom on the ground floor,” the minister added.

The addition is intended to better serve elderly family members, individuals with health conditions, and parents living with their children, while also providing greater flexibility for modern household needs.

Beyond housing, every National Housing Scheme development will also incorporate public amenities and community facilities, including sites for mosques and schools, commercial areas, children’s playgrounds, sports courts, open recreational spaces, and other facilities that encourage community interaction and healthy living.

“One example of this (implementation of public amenities and community facilities) is Kampong Rimba and Kampong Lambak, which are housing developments equipped with such community infrastructure. Similar provisions have also been made in the National Housing Scheme at Kampong Lugu, where land has been allocated for a new mosque currently under construction as well as commercial development.”

The ministry allows government land within housing estates to be used for community activities organised by Village Consultative Councils, including Ramadhan sales stalls and other suitable community programmes.

According to the minister, these initiatives are aimed at creating a conducive residential environment that supports the development of children, promotes the mental well-being of residents, encourages social interaction and neighbourliness, and ultimately strengthens family institutions while fostering resilient and harmonious communities.

Meanwhile, in a separate reply to LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman, the minister outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and review existing housing policies to better reflect changing demographics and the needs of younger generations.

The minister revealed that the Ministry of Development, together with the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Manpower and Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, has been reviewing housing policies and eligibility criteria under existing housing schemes since July.

Among the matters being studied are housing affordability based on the income levels of applicants and the appropriate pricing and housing types required to meet different affordability categories.

The ministry is also exploring greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, including financial institutions, investors, and local property developers, to expand the supply of affordable housing and speed up home delivery for Bruneian citizens.

The proposed public-private partnership model remains under discussion to ensure that any future initiatives are practical, sustainable, and beneficial to both the public and the government.

The minister expressed confidence that the findings of the review will form the basis for improving the housing delivery mechanism of the country, making it more responsive to current and future housing needs while supporting the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035.

(news source: Borneo Bulletin ; pic source: Info Foto, Jbt Penerangan)